Steve R.
Yelp
This place is a true gem in Atlanta. Why? Let me count the ways....
1. One of the best international wine selections in the city... and it all fits in a nice, manageably-sized store. You will be hard pressed to find a better selection, or more knowledgeable people for wines from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Argentina.
2. A surprisingly-large and sophisticated beer and artisanal liquor selection. If you're looking for cheap schnapps in mango-mint flavor, this is not the place, but if you want hard-to-find small-batch bourbon, rum, gin, vodka, or scotch, Janie knows her stuff and keeps and excellent selection. Ask Adam about any beer in the joint and be prepared for a very helpful and informative discussion about the taste, the brewery, and some great alternatives.
3. The signs! Instead of just stocking big-name brands (e.g., Gallo, Constellation), Ansley takes the time to taste and describe the wine in fun and irreverent ways. Where else will you find a large "El cheap but good-o" section? The signs are creative, made in-house, and make wine shopping fun and completely non-threatening.
4. The staff. The team is really into wine... especially if you catch them on Saturdays, when they are all in and ready to help. Ask Amber about her latest trip to Argentina (and about the wines she tried), ask Michelle about Burgundies and their amazing selection of grower Champagnes, and have some fun along the way... they are 100% unpretentious, but damn, they know what they're talking about.
5. The prices. Don't assume that smaller shop = higher prices. To a bottle they match or beat Publix (granted, not much overlap since Publix focuses on mass brands) and Kroger, and unlike those stores, you can get a case discount. More importantly, instead of steering you to cheaply-made plonk from the Central Valley, they will offer you wine at the same price that has personality and real flavor.
5. The mailing list and wine club. Ansley sells a lot via its e mail list, and not just high priced collectors' wines. You can get some real steals from them by simply replying to the e mail and picking it up in the store... Moreover, once you work with them and they get to know your taste, they will even pro-actively mention wine, beer, or liquor that you should try.
I think you get my point. Wine/beer/liquor shopping should be fun, unpretentious, and full of adventure. Ansley offers all of that and more. Try it out, enjoy the vibe, and discover a new love for the really good stuff!